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Immigrant Family Financial and Relationship Stress From the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Catherine A. Solheim

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Jaime Ballard

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Nusroon Fatiha

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Zamzam Dini

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Gretchen Buchanan

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Soyoul Song

    (University of Minnesota)

Abstract

We tend to overlook immigrant families in policy and program discussions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet they are some of the most vulnerable to the effects of this continuing crisis. This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on immigrant families in an upper Midwest state. We interviewed 19 human and social service providers from agencies serving Somali, Latinx, and Karen (refugees from Burma/Myanmar) immigrant families between June and August 2020. Results analyzed for this paper focused on responses to questions asked about COVID-19-related financial and familial stress, and coping resources and constraints that providers were observing with their immigrant clients. Guided by the Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response Model (Patterson, 1988), we identified a pile-up of financial and relationship stressors including employment, housing, and family relationship strains, and resource access constraints. We found that job loss in already financially vulnerable immigrant families was particularly impactful. Housing insecurity soon followed. Immigrant families also faced significant constraints to resource access including lack of documentation, fear of making a mistake, language barriers, and lack of technology skills. We identified family and community resources that families used to meet demands, coping strategies, and glimmers of resilience. As we near the end of the pandemic, we urge family researchers to monitor long-term effects of the crisis on immigrant families. Findings can inform the creation of programs and policies that address immigrant family needs for resources and culturally relevant services to support their financial recovery post-COVID.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine A. Solheim & Jaime Ballard & Nusroon Fatiha & Zamzam Dini & Gretchen Buchanan & Soyoul Song, 2022. "Immigrant Family Financial and Relationship Stress From the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 282-295, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jfamec:v:43:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10834-022-09819-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10834-022-09819-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. O'Donnell, Alexander W. & Stuart, Jaimee & O'Donnell, Karlee J., 2020. "The long-term financial and psychological resettlement outcomes of pre-migration trauma and post-settlement difficulties in resettled refugees," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    2. Jeffrey A. Burr & Jan E. Mutchler & Kerstin Gerst, 2010. "Patterns of Residential Crowding among Hispanics in Later Life: Immigration, Assimilation, and Housing Market Factors," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(6), pages 772-782.
    3. Eileen Díaz McConnell, 2017. "Rented, Crowded, and Unaffordable? Social Vulnerabilities and the Accumulation of Precarious Housing Conditions in Los Angeles," Housing Policy Debate, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 60-79, January.
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    5. Wilson, Fernando & Stimpson, Jim P, 2020. "US Policies Increase Vulnerability of Immigrant Communities to the COVID-19 Pandemic," SocArXiv fmz8e, Center for Open Science.
    6. Borjas, George J. & Cassidy, Hugh, 2020. "The Adverse Effect of the COVID-19 Labor Market Shock on Immigrant Employment," IZA Discussion Papers 13277, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
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    Cited by:

    1. Claudia Andrade & Martie Gillen & José Alberto Molina & Melissa J. Wilmarth, 2022. "The Social and Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Family Functioning and Well-Being: Where do we go from here?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 205-212, June.
    2. Lillian Mwanri & Nelsensius Klau Fauk & Anna Ziersch & Hailay Abrha Gesesew & Gregorius Abanit Asa & Paul Russell Ward, 2022. "Post-Migration Stressors and Mental Health for African Migrants in South Australia: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-15, June.

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